Thinkery

Back during winter break, January 2nd to be exact, we decided to try out the Thinkery (Austin's new Children's Museum).  We met our favorite Rener people there to make it even more fun.  Tons of other Austinites were there too---it was crazy packed.

We began in the water play room where water was shooting from all kinds of fun things, and it was being sloshed and splashed everywhere.  John absolutely loved it.  He was soaking wet by the end but he was having a blast.  He was mad at me when I made him leave that room.

Ava & Matt enjoyed all the big kid stuff; they made little airplanes and launched them to see how far they would go.

And they got to "draw" with hot, melted wax.

Will & Henry were all over the place.  They spent a lot of time on the outdoor playscape.

I loved this table with all the colorful pegs.  Kids were trying to make cool patterns or organize them in a certain way, and then old Johnny would come along and mess it all up.  Talent!

That place is great.  The grocery mart area was super cute, and little J loved the toddler play area.  It was a pretty chilly day when we went, and I look forward to spending a warmer, quieter day there soon.

My love braved the public in his manly mustache.  I like that the gentleman behind him is doing the same.

Kids on pigs!

Christmas 2013

Christmas Eve we had our usual festivities of an early dinner followed by church with the Moran family, Ron & Erika, and Grandpa & Grandma.  Matthew was sick just days before with some stomach bug, and I feared that he wasn't going to feel better in time for Christmas fun and that it was going to spread through our entire family.  God answered my prayers and not only healed Matt right in time for Christmas Eve, but He protected our family and no one else got sick.  Look how big these kids are getting!

Our attempted family photo.  Notice the yule log crackling on the tv in the background.  One day Will will smile a normal smile.

The Christmas Eve service was wonderful, it's one of the highlights of the year.  It was even more special to have Ken & Joyce join us this year.  Johnny made all kinds of loud disruptions and wouldn't stop wiggling, but he made it through the service.

After church we all gathered back at our house for dessert and kid silliness.  We got them to sit still long enough to take this awesome photo with the grandparents.

Christmas morning, the children awoke to all manner of delights awaiting them in the living room.  The squealing, the exuberance, the joy, the fascination, the satisfaction, and the "yessssssssss."  The boys were thrilled to see what Johnny had received, and were really keen on helping him open up his gifts.

Steven, in all his Christmas morning magnificence.  How many peanut butter trees did you get this year, Steven?  The kids love seeing what is in our stockings.  Tell you what, they never expected to see kitchen towels in mine, but boy was I excited to see those!

Will got a ridiculous assortment of super hero action figures.  I still can't tell you all their names.  But there are epic battles almost daily.

Matt added several more race cars to his NASCAR lineup that morning.

The future of Texas Football!!!  Well, maybe or maybe not, but they still look super cool in those jerseys.

Johnny was elated to find that his ball popper had fresh batteries in it.  That thing was boppin' and poppin' all morning.  Best toy ever.

We had a nice breakfast with the grandparents, and while Johnny napped Matt & I set to work on our new Lego sets.  His: Arkham Asylum.  Hers: Christmas Carousel.  Great fun!

That afternoon we headed out to Bryan & Sarah's house for more celebrations.  Gift opening!  Will got even more superheroes, and Matt got a cool model mustang to build.

Sarah prepared a delicious meal, and we all just enjoyed hanging out and being together.  Steven enjoyed perusing a Lego book we had given Bryan.  Will enjoyed warming up Steven's lap.

Look at these two.  How sweet is that?  Cousins.

The girls got a new Mario game that everyone was excited to try out.

Silly kids.  I am overjoyed at how much they love each other and love being around one another.  What a sweet gift.

The next few days after Christmas brought a lot of laziness.  We watched all the new movies the kids got for Christmas and built an insane amount of Lego.  It was great.  Will and John look pretty similar in this photo.  Johnny is often catching flies when he watches tv.

Matt quickly set to work on his wish list for 2014.  He got on the Lego website and figured out which ones he didn't have that he still wanted.  Greeeeeeeeeeeeed.  We're working on that.  :)

Grandpa had a birthday!!  I love celebrating all the Decemeber birthdays in this family.  Happy Birthday to Ken!  Here's to many more!

December fun

 Within a day or two of us returning from our Arizona trip, I found myself lugging out all my boxes of Christmas decorations.  The kids were dying to get it all out.  They were over the moon to be reunited with all their seasonal favorite noise makers, books and toys.  Johnny thought they were all pretty swell.

 We went with a little smaller tree this year, and it was so beautiful with all those lovely lights on it.  Johnny was his usual helpful self.  To my surprise, he really didn't mess with the tree--and I even made a point to tell the boys to put non-breakables at his height range.  The rest of the house, however....

 William had a nativity program at his preschool, and he was a shepherd.  He was acting super silly with his friend, Liam, standing next to him.  He knew all the songs and sang his little heart out.  Hand motions too.

 The leaves fell.  And kept falling.  It made for a super awesome leaf pile one afternoon, though.

 Since Dad and Ann were going to spend Christmas in St. Louis with her side of the family, they came down a couple weeks early to Austin to celebrate with our family and the Morans.  Ann and I had a fun bonding experience over getting our gingerbread houses to stay up!  After several collapses and lots of icing, they finally stayed put.  The kids had a delightful time adorning them with candy.  Will wanted to be Superman that afternoon.  It just added to the festiveness.

 We shared a lovely dinner together and then opened presents.  It looks like total mayhem.  Those kids have so much fun together.

Johnny, not to be outdone by the other kids, performed a drum solo.

This family photo is funny.  Poor Will hardly made it in.  And notice how tall Caroline is!!  She has passed me up for sure.  It was a special time with our family, and I'm so thankful Dad & Ann made the trip to come celebrate with us.

 Before Dad & Ann left for Houston, we made a little visit to Chuck E. Cheese's.  This is as close to Chuck as Will would go.  Johnny wouldn't go near.  The animatronic Chuck is a little creepy, I don't blame them.  Will still loved every minute.

 Happy Birthday, Steven!!!  38.  Best husband ever.  xxoo

 Johnny and his growing love and fascination for the awesomeness that is Yo Gabba Gabba.

 

 Throughout hunting season the men made a few trips out to Goldthwaite to try and claim a trophy.  One particular visit was especially brutal due to the thick layer of ice covering the ground and the frigid temperatures.  Zach still looks like he's having fun.  Right?

Hunter Steven.  He didn't get one this year, so look out 2014.